inward

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

a

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b

: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3

: marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4

: directed toward the interior

inward

2 of 3

adverb

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the inner being

inward

3 of 3

noun

1

: something that is inward

2

inwards ˈin-ərdz  -wərdz  plural : innards

Synonyms of inward

Adjective

• inner
• interior
• internal

Noun

• inside(s)
• viscera
• innards
• gut
• entrails
• vitals
• bowel(s)
• intestine(s)

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective

moved towards the inward room for more privacy

he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Adverb

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.

He turned his attention inward.

Noun

the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That gap between outward performance and inward exhaustion is what causes many owners to question their own judgment. — Scott Hanson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

With no energy available to warm the planet to these temperatures, the team reasoned that the temperature must be a residual effect of prior warming either from being engulfed by the red giant or during an inward migration. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 July 2026

Adverb

The company operates driverless buggies that have no steering wheel or pedals, and feature four carriage-style seats that face inward, giving them a shuttle-like atmosphere. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 17 July 2026

As much as the hero of Homer’s tale could blame Poseidon’s and Zeus’ machinations for delaying his journey, the movie Odysseus can only look inward. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Noun

Medina’s 2008 Honda was observed at the scene with a hatch that was crushed inwards and a shattered rear window, according to the sheriff’s office. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 July 2026

The old flame here, Smith explains, is an inwards look at the cost of his own ambition. — Nick Reilly, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard -ward entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inward

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

an inward peace

3

: directed toward the interior

an inward flow

inward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the mind or spirit